FR2829360A1 - Force-feeding machine for fattening web-footed poultry, has volume doser for feed ration between hopper and tube - Google Patents

Abstract

Force-feeding machine comprises hopper (2) containing the e.g. maize-based feed, designed to dispense individual force-feeding rations through an outlet, and a force-feeding apparatus (5) with a funnel (6), tube (7), and an optional pusher (5a). It has a volume doser (20) for the feed ration between the hopper and tube, incorporating an intake and an outlet, and a conveyor duct (19) between the doser and the funnel. The doser can be situated before or after the conveyor duct, or between two conveyor duct sections, and it has a moving rotor (20b) with a number of cells (20c) to deliver the ration doses from the hopper to the duct.

Description

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GRAIN AND / OR PELLET FEEDER FOR PALMIPED FEEDING, WITH MEANS OF VOLUMETRIC DOSING.

 The present invention relates to a machine for feeding on cereal grains, more particularly whole corn grains, dedicated to fattening palmipeds, comprising a means for volumetric dosing of food rations to be distributed to palmipeds.

 The known machines for grain feeding are designed to carry out a metering by weighing or by time delay or detection of a level, rations to be distributed and use electronic means which significantly complicate their production.

 The object of the present invention is to solve the problems mentioned above by implementing a feeding machine with metering means of increased simplicity.

 Another object of the present invention is a feeding machine provided with means for recovering undistributed food products.

Another object of the present invention is a booster machine for which the metering means can be arranged sheltered from the drafts of ventilation air and the vibrations of the machine
To this end, the gaveuse dosing machine with cereal grains according to the present invention, for fattening palmipeds, comprising a storage hopper containing a food mass, for example based on corn grains, to be distributed in individual feeding rations to palmipeds. and having a product sampling opening, a feeding device with funnel and possibly feeding tube equipped with a thrust member, into which the funnel is poured out the metered ration, is essentially characterized by a device for volumetric metering of the ration, installed between the booster cannula and the product sampling opening for the storage hopper, this volumetric metering device comprising a product supply mouth and a product delivery mouth.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, there is provided a transport device installed between the product withdrawal opening that the hopper has and the funnel of the booster, the metering device being installed either upstream of the conveyor. product supply relationship with the opening of the product withdrawal from the hopper on the one hand and the product delivery relationship with said transporter on the other hand, either downstream of the transporter in product supply relationship with this the latter on the one hand and in relation to the delivery of products with the funnel of the booster on the other hand, that is to say between two sets of said conveyor and this in relation to supply and delivery with these two said sets.

 Thanks to this feature, the booster can be located at a distance from the machine and the latter can be installed in a suitable place which can be protected from ventilation drafts, vibrations and the like and which can also include sound insulation which prevents the propagation of noise from the machine to the force-feeding rooms. In addition, thanks to this transporter, it is now possible to force-feed in

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 rooms with circulation corridors too small to allow the passage of a mobile machine.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the volumetric metering device consists of a movable drawer, comprising at least one cell, said drawer being movable in a controlled and controlled manner in the chamber of a fixed body comprising the supply mouth in products, receiving the product drawn from the hopper, this mouth opening into said chamber and a product delivery mouth, these products being delivered to the booster, this mouth being angularly separated from the previous one and also opening into said chamber , the cell, by displacement of the movable drawer being brought in turn in communication relation with the product supply mouth, to be filled with product and in communication relation with the product delivery mouth to deliver the quantity of product received, said drawer being coupled to a motor member ensuring its movement in the chamber, said o engine organ being piloted and controlled by a command and control unit which ensures in particular the dosage of the ration to be distributed.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the booster member is equipped with an electrical contactor which can be operated by the user when he wishes to interrupt the delivery of the ration to the palmiped, said electrical contactor being electrically connected to the central unit. and control which when receiving the interrupt signal deactivates the transporter, or controls the return of the food product to the tank, or activates a shutter member of the funnel of the booster.

 According to another characteristic of the invention, the delivery rate of food products to the transport device is lower than the delivery rate of products by the booster.

 Other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear on reading the description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a gaveuse dosing machine according to a first embodiment of the invention, - Figure 1a is a front view of a metering device, - Figure 2 is a schematic view of a gaveuse dosing machine according to a second embodiment of the invention, - Figure 3 is a perspective view of a dispenser according to a second embodiment, this dispenser being positioned so that the axis of rotation of the drawer is vertical, - Figure 4 is a schematic view of the dispenser according to Figure 3 in the open position of the dose loading mouth, - Figure 5 is a schematic view of the dispenser according to Figure 3, in the open position of the delivery mouth from the do se, - Figure 6 is a schematic view of a dispenser according to a third embodiment, this dispenser being positioned so that the axis of rotation of the drawer is vertical, and being disposed in the mouth open position loading the dose,

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 - Figure 7 is a view of the dispenser according to Figure 7, this dispenser being positioned so that the axis of rotation of the drawer is vertical, and being disposed in the open position of the dose delivery mouth, - FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a dispenser according to a fourth embodiment, this dispenser being in the situation of receiving a dose, - FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the dispenser according to FIG. 8, this dispenser being in the situation of delivery of the dose, - Figure 10 is a schematic view of a dispenser according to a fourth embodiment, this dispenser being in the situation of receiving a dose, - Figure 11 is a schematic view of the dispenser according to FIG. 8, this dispenser being in the situation of delivering the dose, FIG. 12 is another embodiment of the machine showing a pneumatic type transport device. FIGS. 13 and 14 are schematic views of a machine according to the invention tion with pneumatic transport device equipped with a bypass, - Figures 15 and 16 are schematic views of a machine according to the invention with pneumatic transport device equipped with a valve, - Figures 17 and 18 respectively show two other transport devices - Figure 19 is a sectional view of a booster device equipped with a metering device with shutter, the latter being in the closed position, - Figure 20 is a schematic sectional view of the device of feeding according to FIG. 19, the shutter being in the open position, FIG. 21 is a schematic view from above of a second embodiment of a shutter for in particular the feeding device according to FIGS. 19 and 20, this shutter being in the closed position, - Figure 22 is a schematic top view of the shutter according to Figure 21, the latter being in the open position.

 In the attached figures the respective proportions of the various components of the machine have not been respected for reasons of clarity.

 According to the preferred embodiment, the feeding and dosing machine according to the invention is provided for the distribution of food rations based on cereal grains, more particularly cooked corn grains and a lubricant, for example an animal fat which can be duck or goose fat, this lubricant being intimately mixed with cereal grains.

 As shown in the gaveuse dosing machine according to the invention, for fattening palmipeds comprises on a frame 1 a hopper 2 of generally conical shape containing a food mass to be distributed in individual feeding rations to palmipeds, a volumetric metering device 20 of the ration comprising a product supply zone in which a supply mouth 20d is installed and a product delivery zone in which is installed a delivery mouth 20e of the product in metered ration. This

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 volumetric metering device (20), is installed between the product sampling opening of the storage hopper and the booster cannula (7) of a booster 5 with funnel 6, and motorized pushing member 5a, in which funnel is poured out the metered ration which is pushed into the feeding cannula by the pushing member, this pushing member 5a, for example of the fine screw type, penetrating into the cannula 7. The feeding device 5 advantageously comprises an electrical contactor 8 for starting and end of the booster cycle electrically connected to a control and command unit 9 which manages the operation of the various active elements of the machine.

 The frame 1 can be provided with preferably motorized rolling members in order to assist the movement of the machine on the ground. This machine can also be installed in a fixed position in a suitable location.

 According to a preferred embodiment, a transport device (19) installed between the product sampling opening present in the hopper and the funnel of the feeding device, the dosing device (20) being installed either upstream of the transporter (19) in relation to supplying products with the opening for withdrawing products from the hopper (2) on the one hand and in relation to delivering products to said transporter on the other hand, either downstream of the transporter ( 19) in relation to supplying products with the latter on the one hand and in relation to delivering products with the funnel (6) of the booster on the other hand, that is to say between two sets of said transporter in relation to supply and delivery with these two so-called sets.

 According to a first embodiment, the metering device (20) is installed immediately opposite the product sampling opening that the storage hopper 2 has, while according to a second embodiment, the metering device is mounted in the funnel (6) of the feeding device (5). We can also provide a transport device 19 installed either between the product delivery mouth in a metered ration of the metering device and the funnel of the feeding device or between the sampling opening of the storage hopper and the mouth for supplying product to the metering device, depending on whether said device is installed opposite the hopper sampling opening or in the funnel of the booster 5.

 According to a preferred embodiment, the volumetric metering device (20) consists of a mobile drawer (20b), comprising at least one cell (20c), said drawer being movable in a controlled and controlled manner in the chamber (20a) of a metering body comprising the supply mouth 20d in products, opening into said chamber 20a as well as the product delivery mouth 20e, the latter being angularly spaced from the previous one and also opening into said chamber. The cell 20c, by displacement of the movable slide 20b is brought in turn in communication relation with the product supply mouth 20d, to be filled with product and in communication relation with the product delivery mouth 20d for delivering the quantity of product received, said drawer 20b being coupled to a motor member ensuring its movement in the chamber (20a). This motor member, for example of the electric type, is piloted and controlled by the control unit and

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 control (9) which in particular ensures, in addition, the dosage of the ration to be distributed.

 According to a first alternative embodiment, the drawer comprises several equally spaced cells 20c, of the same capacity, the metering being effected by counting the number of cells displaced facing the delivery mouth 20e or by measuring the displacement of the drawer 20b in the chamber 20a. The drawer can be an elongated element displaceable in translation, but preferably the chamber of the metering device (20) is cylindrical, the drawer (20b) of the metering device (20) is also cylindrical and is rotatably mounted in the chamber (20a) according to a sliding adjustment, said drawer being fixed to a drive shaft rotatably mounted on bearings of the metering body and externally coupled to the metering body, to the drive motor member.

 The cells (20c) are formed in the drawer (20b) in an equidistant manner and are hollowed out in the latter preferably from its peripheral edge towards its central zone, and preferably, along the entire thickness of said drawer (20b). We can provide cells formed by through holes not opening on the periphery of the drawer.

 A means of detecting the angular position of the cells is provided. This means has a rotary element 17 fixed on the drive shaft of the drawer outside the body and a fixed detector element 18 installed outside the metering body. opposite the rotary element 17, this detector element 18 being electrically connected to the control and command unit 9. According to the preferred embodiment, the rotary element 17 is constituted by a wheel with radial branches, each branch materializing the position of a cell and one. We can provide other systems such as incremental coders or others. In this case, the position of a mobile element will no longer be detected, but the angular distance traveled by the slide will be measured.

 According to another embodiment, the rotary slide 20b of the volumetric metering device is equipped with at least one cell 20c with adjustable volume. Thus this drawer may be constituted by a sector 50 containing a cylindrical or other shape and a contained sector 51 of cylindrical shape another shape complementary to the previous one, mounted to slide in the previous one, each sector 50,51 having an end wall facing the end wall of the other sector and both delimiting the volume of the cell 20c, the two sectors 50, 51 both cooperating with one and the same means for adjusting the angular difference between their end wall. This adjustment is made by adjusting the degree of penetration of the sector contained 51 in the sector containing 50. This rotary drawer 20b is always mounted with sliding adjustment in a cylindrical chamber 20a of a metering body and is always fixed to a shaft d rotational drive mounted in rotation on two bearings practiced in the metering body and cooperating outside the body with drive motor piloted and controlled by the command and control unit 9.

 Each metering device with a rotary drawer as described may be positioned at the level of the hopper pick-up or at the level of the feeding funnel or between two sets of the transport device 19 so that the axis of rotation of its drawer 20b either horizontal, or vertical or inclined.

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 According to another embodiment, the volumetric metering device 20 is constituted by a variable volume chamber arranged in the manner of an airlock comprising a supply mouth 20d associated with a shutter 52 movable between a position for closing said said opening and a release position of said opening, and a discharge mouth 20d associated with a second shutter 53 movable between a shutter position of said opening and a release position of this opening, the shutter elements 52, 53 being mobilized respectively by drive components controlled and monitored by the command and control unit 9.

 The internal volume of the variable-volume chamber is delimited by the internal volume of two vertical tubular elements 54, 55, slidably mounted one inside the other and both cooperating with the same system, not shown, for adjusting their axial position relative to each other. It is understood that these two tubular elements constitute the metering device. The system for adjusting the axial position of the two tubular elements may consist of at least two screw and nut systems of a known type. Preferably, for reasons of simplification of adjustment, the screw of each system will include a portion of its length with a right-hand thread while on another portion of its length, a left-hand thread. The nuts intended to cooperate with this screw will be respectively carried by a plate fixed to one of the tubular elements and by a plate carried by the other tubular element. It is obvious that any other adjustment system can be used.

 The shutters 54, 55 can be driven in translation or in rotation by motor members between their closed position and their release position and be constituted by flat walls.

 As a variant, the metering device 20 always comprising two tubes mounted to slide one inside the other as just described, is mounted between two horizontal discs 56, 57 forming a shutter and is fixed to the upper disc and to a crown. lower. Opposite the internal chamber formed by the tubular elements, the upper disc 56 has a through opening. Angularly offset from the opening of the upper disc, the lower disc also has a through opening. In addition, the upper disc and the lower crown are coupled to the same vertical drive shaft itself coupled to a drive member. One of the disc or lower crown is fixed (e) firmly to this shaft while the other is mounted (e) on said shaft in a free manner in translation and fixed in rotation. Finally, the upper disc is in contact with the lip of the opening for collecting the products from the hopper. By rotation of the assembly constituted by the drive shaft, the upper disc 56, the crown and the two tubular elements, the variable volume chamber is brought under the sampling opening for filling by gravity. In this position the delivery mouth of the metering device is angularly separated from the through opening of the lower disc and is located by its lip in contact with a solid part of the latter. By rotation of the above-mentioned assembly, the solid part of the upper disc is brought opposite the sampling opening and closes the latter while the delivery mouth 20e of the metering device 20 is brought opposite

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 the through opening of the lower disc 57 for emptying the metering chamber 20a of the metering device 20.

 Preferably may be added to a metering device consisting of two tubular elements, a receiving tank 58 of the dose delivered by said device.

 The metering device 20 may be associated with a device 40 capable of dislocating and brewing before introduction into the metering device, any agglomerates that the product could form, this dislocation device 40 being disposed immediately upstream of the supply mouth of said device. dosing.

This device 40 is constituted by a body delimiting an internal chamber of rectangular cross section or other shape and by a stirring member 40a mounted in the chamber in rotation about a horizontal axis. The internal chamber of the body has an upstream opening for introducing the product and a downstream opening for delivering the product, this downstream opening being in relation to the supply mouth 20d of product from the metering device, the stirring and dislocation 40a being disposed in the chamber between the two upstream downstream openings This stirring and dislocation member 40 preferably comprises a horizontal or inclined or vertical shaft to which radial blades are fixed. The horizontal shaft is engaged in two end bearings fixed to the body on the external faces of the latter, the shaft beyond one of the two bearings being coupled to the rotary output shaft of an electric motor or other, for example by means of a movement transmission which may be of the pulley and belt type. The blades also play a role of scraping the internal faces of the chamber and oppose the deposition on the latter of food products. It goes without saying that any other scraping or cleaning or stirring system can be used.

This dislocation and stirring device 40 can be mounted in the storage hopper 2 downstream of the sampling opening that the latter comprises. Such a device can also be mounted immediately upstream of the booster cannula 7.

 According to a first embodiment, the transport device 19 is of the pneumatic type and consists of a first transport tube 24 ′ comprising an opening for delivering the products in communication directly or indirectly with the funnel 6 of the booster 5, and a product loading opening connected to the product delivery bore of the metering device and a second 24 "transport tube comprising an opening for introducing an air current in relation to the outlet outlet of an air stream generator 21 which can be a blower or other generator, and an air flow delivery mouth connected to the delivery area of the metering device 20. According to a first embodiment, the body of the metering device, in the product delivery area has a front opening for introducing the transport air flow into the cell located in the delivery area. llement the delivery mouth 20e is radial to the internal chamber 20a.

 According to another embodiment, the transport device 19 is always of the pneumatic type and is constituted by a transport tube 24 comprising an opening for delivering the products in communication with the funnel 7 of the booster 5, an opening

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 for introducing an air current in relation to the outlet mouth of an air current generator 21 which may be a blower or other generator, and between the delivery opening and the introduction opening , a loading opening in communication with the discharge mouth of the metering device 20. The generator 21 establishes a flow of conveyor air directed from the introduction opening to the booster 5.

 Transport by pneumatic route is particularly advantageous both because of its flexibility of use and the possibility of transport over long distances. Another advantage of this mode of transport lies in the fact that it eliminates the risks of grain breakage.

In the preferred embodiment, the transport tube 24 is secured to the funnel 6 of the booster.

 Before introducing the food product into the funnel, it is necessary to separate the latter from the air stream which transports them. For this purpose is provided upstream of the feeding funnel a separator device 22 preferably constituted by a device of the cyclone type.

As a variant, an air evacuation device will be placed directly on the funnel 6 of the booster. In all cases, the duct 24 is connected in leaktight manner to the funnel 6.

 The transport tube 24 can be divided into an upstream section 24a and a downstream section 24b joined to one another by a bypass 23, said bypass comprising a body provided with an inlet mouth and two mouths of outlet in which a flap 23a is mounted coupled to a motor member controlled by the control and command unit 9, the inlet mouth of the bypass being connected to the upstream section 24a, one of the outlet outlets to the downstream section 24b and the other outlet mouth to a tube 25 for returning products to the hopper 2, the flap 23a being able to occupy in the body a first position according to which communication between the upstream section and the downstream section is established and a second position according to which communication between the upstream section and the product return tube 25 is established.

 This provision is particularly interesting since it allows the interruption of the distribution of the ration and therefore the distribution to the palmiped of a fraction of this ration for example in the case where the latter could not bear the entire food ration. The tilting of the flap 23a from the first position to the second position will be activated for example from the signal delivered by an electrical contactor mounted on the booster 5 for example on the cannula 7. This electrical contactor may be constituted by the contactor start of cycle 8. The actions of start of cycle and tilting of the shutter 23a can be discriminated by a time delay, for example a prolonged mechanical action on the electrical contactor 8 can control the tilting of the shutter 23a. The command to tilt the flap from the first position to the second will be accompanied by the stopping of the transfer device.

et le tube de retour 25 grâce à quoi le flux d'air produit par le générateur 21 peut entraîner les produits présents dans le tronçon 24a de conduite amont vers la trémie 2. According to the second position of the flap, communication is ensured between the upstream section

and the return tube 25 whereby the air flow produced by the generator 21 can entrain the products present in the section 24a of upstream pipe towards the hopper 2.

 The flap 23a is equipped with an air passage opening of size smaller than the size

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 corn kernels to allow the downstream section 24b to be purged when the bypass flap occupies the second position. By this purging action, the food products still contained in the downstream section will be propelled towards the funnel 6 of the feeding device 5. To minimize the importance of the residual quantity of food products in the downstream section 24b it is important to decrease the length of the latter by placing the bypass as close as possible to the booster. We can even foresee the fact that the tube 24 no longer has a downstream section 24b and that the bypass 23, by the corresponding output, is connected directly to the cyclone device 22.

 According to another embodiment, the transport tube 24 is always divided into an upstream section 24a and into a downstream section 24b and these two sections are joined to each other by one by a valve 26 of the two position type, three tracks, four orifices the said valve comprising a valve body 26a in which is formed a cylindrical chamber in which is mounted a rotating plug 26b coupled to the output shaft of a motor member controlled by the control and command unit 9. The first port of the valve is connected to the upstream section 24a, the second port to the downstream section 24b, the third to a return tube 27 of the products to the hopper 2 and the fourth port to a purge tube 28 in which a air flow is established, the valve plug 26b, in the first position ensuring communication between the first and the second orifice and closes the third and the fourth orifice while in the second position it ensures the communication between the first port and the third on the one hand and the second and the fourth on the other.

 The purge tube 28 according to a first embodiment is connected to a suction mouth by means of a cyclone device 30 ensuring the separation between the air and the grains, the grain outlet mouth being disposed at the above a recovery hopper 29 or better above the hopper 2. The suction mouth may be that of the air stream generator 21.

 Thus in its first position the plug ensures continuity between the sections two pipe sections 24a, 24b so that the air flow formed by the generator 21 is established from the section 24a to the booster device via the section 24b. According to the second position of the plug, the air flow formed by the generator 21 is diverted towards the return tube 27. In this way the food product present in the pipe section 24a can be poured into the hopper 2.

Still according to the second position of the plug 26b, the food products present in the pipe section as well as in the feeding device are sucked up and discharged into the recovery hopper or into the hopper 2.

 According to another embodiment, the purge tube is connected to the outlet of an auxiliary air stream generator, the generated air flow propelling the food product still present in the pipe section towards the gavage.

 As a variant, the tube 24 does not have a downstream section and the valve 26, through the corresponding outlet, is connected directly to the cyclone device 21.

 It should be noted that the section 24a can be constituted by the sections 24 ′ and 24 "in the case where the metering device 20 is equipped with an air inlet in the delivery zone.

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 According to another embodiment, the transport device 19 consists of an endless belt mounted on two end rollers, one of the two rollers being coupled to the output shaft of a motor member controlled by the control unit and control 9. With such an embodiment, the machine may comprise, between the metering device and the belt, a conical funnel which distributes the ration on the belt. In other words, the conical funnel creates a pressure drop which slows the flow of the food product towards the belt and therefore the spreading of the product on the upper horizontal strand.

The products can be poured into the feeding funnel at two speeds, first a fast speed and then a slow speed. For this purpose, the motor driving the conveyor belt may be associated with a speed variator controlled by the control and command unit 9.

 The order to interrupt the distribution of the food ration will be accompanied by a reversal of the direction of movement of the carpet, the food products will be recovered in a bin 32 provided for this purpose.

 The carpet can be smooth or provided with cross bars for retaining products.

With such an arrangement, the belt can form at least an ascending, vertical or inclined path to bring the product to a higher height level relative to the metering device and / or to the hopper 2.

 According to another embodiment, the transport device 19. could be constituted by an ascending conveyor with archimedes screw.

 According to another embodiment, the transport device 19 is constituted by an endless chain 19a with cells, mounted in a containment tube, 19c, said tube comprising a loading opening 19d arranged in communication relation with the opening d evacuation of the metering device 20, and a delivery opening 19e in relation to the funnel 6 of the booster. The chain is driven by a motor member (not shown) controlled by the control and command unit 9. The cells are delimited by walls or pads carried by the chain.

 The delivery opening 19e of the containment tube 19c is equipped with a shutter 33 for shutter actuated by a motor member 34 controlled by the control and command unit 9.

In addition, the return strand of the cell chain 19a and the corresponding section of the containment tube 19c come above the hopper and said tube in line with the hopper 2 has an opening 19b for discharging the grains.

 The distribution of the food product in the funnel 6, as in the previous case, can be carried out at two speeds, first a fast speed then a slow speed. To this end, the motor drive element of the cell chain will be associated with a speed variator controlled by the control and command unit 9.

 The order to interrupt the delivery of food ration will be accompanied by the closure of the 19th delivery opening by changing the position of the flap 33. The products will then be transported to the discharge opening 19b by which they will flow by gravity to the hopper 2.

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 The actual chain can be constituted by a flexible link, by articulated links etc, but can also be constituted by a flexible band, the cells being delimited in this case by transverse battens.

 The assay can be carried out by counting the volumes defined by the cells. In the case of figure, the opening of loading of this type of conveyor will be directly in communication with the orifice of taking of the products in the hopper.

 In the case of a direct withdrawal by the transporter of the products in the hopper, a vibrator can be associated with this transporter.

 According to another embodiment, the conveyor consists of a bucket chain. In this case the dosage can be operated or completed by counting the volumes delimited by the cups. The bucket chain can directly draw the products from the hopper through the upper opening of the latter.

 According to another embodiment, the transport device 19 may be completed by a device 3 for sampling and distribution constituted by a conveyor 10 of the ascending type, external to the hopper 2, coming from its lower end opposite an opening made in the latter. The food products housed in the hopper 2 flow through this opening towards the conveyor 10. This conveyor can be vertical or inclined at 45 degrees as can be seen in FIG. 1. This conveyor is constituted by a tubular retaining column 10a and by a thrust member 1 Ob in the form of an Archimedes screw mounted in rotation in the tubular column 10a and coupled to the output shaft of a drive member 12 controlled by the control and command unit 9. The part smooth of the Archimedes screw extends downwards from the compression column 10a and engages in a cylindrical chamber 36 provided in the bottom of the hopper and delimited in particular by a perforated tubular wall 2b, the size of these perforations being smaller to the size of the grains and by a terminal closure partition 13 comprising a bearing in which is engaged the lower end of the smooth part of the screw. The compression column has an upper bend through which the food products are delivered to the metering device. The electric motor 12 is carried by the upper part of the compression column.

 According to another embodiment, the picking device 3 is constituted by a first conveyor 10 partially housed in the hopper 2 for drawing food products therefrom, said first conveyor being substantially vertical and by a second horizontal conveyor 11 intended to convey the products from the first conveyor 10 to the metering device 4.

 The first conveyor 10 of the ascending type is installed in the hopper 2 along the longitudinal axis of the latter. This conveyor 10 plunges into the hopper 2 and is designed to draw from its lower end the food contained in the latter and pour them through its upper end with elbow into the second conveyor 11. The first conveyor 10 is constituted by a tubular column of contention 10a and by a thrust member 10b in the form of an Archimedes screw rotatably mounted in the tubular column 10a and coupled to the output shaft of a motor member 12 controlled by the control and command unit 9. According to this embodiment, the Archimedes' screw protrudes downwards from the compression column 10a and

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 engages in a cylindrical chamber 2A provided in the bottom of the hopper 2 and delimited by a perforated tubular wall 2b, the size of these perforations being less than the size of the grains and by a terminal closure partition 13 perpendicular to the axis of symmetry of the tubular wall 2b. The diameter of the cylindrical chamber 2a may be equal to the diameter of the archimedes screw. Preferably, the motor 12 for driving the screw 10a in rotation is disposed under the cylindrical chamber 2a of the hopper 2 and the Archimedes screw, by its smooth end portion engages in a sealed manner in a bearing formed in the partition terminator 13 to be coupled, externally to the hopper 2, to the output shaft of the electric motor 12.

By its open lower end, the containment column 10a is kept at a distance from the walls of the hopper 2 so as to release sufficient space for the passage of the grains towards the archimedean screw 1 Ob.

The open upper end of the compression column is in relation to the inlet mouth of the elbow, which leads the food to a level lower than the upper end of the column 1 Oa. By passing through the outlet mouth of this elbow, the food products flow into the second conveyor 11.

 Preferably, the upper end part of the tubular column 10a carrying the elbow is free to rotate about its axis and this following at least one revolution. This upper end part at the lower end comprises a sleeve for connection to the other part of the column, this sleeve moreover ensuring guiding in rotation relative to this last part.

To this sleeve is fixed a support structure receiving the second conveyor for fixing. Thanks to this arrangement, this support structure and the second conveyor can freely pivot on at least one revolution around the vertical axis of the tubular column 10a.

 The second conveyor 11 comprises a tubular compression conduit 11a in which, along its longitudinal axis, is rotatably mounted a helical thrust element 11b, in engagement with the rotary output shaft of a motor member 14 controlled by the control and command unit, said containment conduit 11a having at its upstream end a radial opening 15 for introducing food products and at its downstream end a discharge orifice 16 for food into the metering device 20, the products food being transferred, under the effect of the rotation of the helical element 11b, from the introduction opening towards the discharge orifice 16 from which the food products flow by gravity into the metering device 4 or else in the booster, the helical element in the case where it is constituted by an Archimedes screw which can constitute a volumetric metering means, the metering being op D by counting the angular displacement of the screw.

 Preferably, the funnel 6 is equipped with a grain level sensor device, this device being electrically connected to the control and command unit (9) and detecting the end of dose.

 According to one embodiment, the level sensor device is constituted by a presence sensor 35 mounted in the funnel 6 to detect the end of the dose during the evacuation of the latter.

 According to another embodiment, the grain sensor device is a pressure probe. This pressure probe is related to the internal volume of the booster

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 and is capable of detecting a variation in pressure in this internal volume. This pressure probe can be used with a pneumatic transport device.

 According to another particularly advantageous embodiment, the flow of product delivered to the transport device 19 is slightly lower than the flow of product delivered by the booster 5 to the palmipede. In this embodiment, a presence detector is provided, electrically connected to the control and command unit, to signal the absence of product in the booster and therefore the absence of flow and the end of the dispensing. of the food ration. This detector may be of any known type, in particular it may be of the capacitive, optical, or other type.

 As said previously, the metering device 20 can be mounted in the funnel of the booster, but as a variant, this metering device can be formed in and by said apparatus. To this end, the body of the device and more particularly the funnel of the latter will be of cylindrical or other shape and will consist of two tubular parts 6a, 6b mounted one inside the other and capable of sliding the one inside the other, and linked to each other by means of adjusting their respective positions. This means can, for example, be constituted by two threads, which allows by screwing one of the two parts into the other, in this case the upper part 6a to adjust the degree of depression of the latter in the bottom part. The upper part will be equipped with the orifice for introducing food products and downstream of this orifice, considering the direction of flow of the product, with a shutter 59 which can occupy an open position according to which the internal volume of the upper part is in communication with the internal volume formed by the second part and a closed position according to which these two volumes are physically separated from each other. This shutter will be coupled to a drive motor member so as to be moved, between its open position and its closed position.

 The shutter 59 in the closed position defines with the internal volume of the lower tubular part 6b of the booster a variable volume whose value depends on the degree of depression of the first part 6a in the second. This variable volume constitutes the dosing volume. The shutter 59, when from the open position is led to its closed position, acts in the manner of a guillotine transverse to the longitudinal axis of the booster and separates the mass of product beforehand introduced into the internal volume of the booster 5. The mass of product located below the shutter 59 constitutes the dose to be dispensed.

 The funnel of the metering device is axially traversed by the rod of the pushing member, which rod, at the upper end, outside the upper part is coupled to the output shaft of a driving member either directly or via an appropriate transmission. Due to the presence of this rod, the shutter 59 consists of at least two parts 59a acting in the manner of a diaphragm, these parts being integral with the upper part of the funnel of the feeding device. According to a first embodiment, the shutter 59 is formed of two parts 59a each in the form of a wall which can be flat or curved, engaged in sliding in a slot made

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 in the upper part 6a of the funnel. Each wall receives in articulation an operating compass coupled to an actuating motor and articulated at the upper part of the funnel.

Each wall 59a is furthermore provided with a notch which is arranged in part around the actuating rod of the thrust member.

 According to another embodiment, the shutter is formed for example by a series of triangular walls 59b, articulated at the top. By pivoting about their axes, these walls are led from an open position to a closed position and vice versa by a drive member.

 The two previous forms of shutter, as they have just been described, can be fitted to the metering device with sliding tubular elements 54, 55 as described above.

 In the metering device 5 and more particularly in the metering volume, a system can be arranged allowing the metering volume to be reduced on demand. This system could be constituted by an inflatable balloon. Such an arrangement allows the distribution of a fraction of a dose only or the correction of the value of the quantity of product to be introduced into the gavage apparatus if the previous distribution cycle has been interrupted before delivery of the entire dose, the remaining fraction of the previously dispensed dose still remaining in the device and more particularly in the feeding cannula.

 A feeding device 5 has previously been described with a pushing member constituted by a screw, but it goes without saying that any other pushing means can be used.

 The booster 6 can be carried by a cable wound around a pulley mounted idly around an axis and fixed to a balancing device constituted by a counterweight or by a jack. The actuating motor of the pushing member 5a can be carried by the body of the device, but as a variant, this motor can be arranged at a distance from the booster and the worm of said booster will be coupled to the motor output shaft by a hose which can be mounted in a containment tube. Hydraulic or pneumatic transmission can also be used. This motor can be installed, for example, on a carriage slidably mounted on a supporting structure and fixed to a balancing mechanism.

 The machine is also intended for cooking food consisting essentially of grain corn.

 To this end, the machine has a hot cooking water circuit in the hopper 2.

According to the preferred embodiment, the wall 2b of the cylindrical chamber 2A is pierced with one or more through orifices in communication with a chamber 36. The water circuit comprises a pump 37 whose inlet orifice is connected by a line to the chamber 36 for drawing cooking water there and whose delivery orifice is connected to a second line for discharging the cooking water into the hopper 2. So that the corn kernels are not entrained in the hot water circuit, each hole made in the wall 2b will have a small diameter compared to the size of the grains.

 On the second pipe of the water circuit are arranged a drain valve 38 and a tap 39. By closing the tap 39 and opening the valve 38 under the effect of the setting in

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 water pressure due to the pushing of the pump 33 is carried out the emptying of water from the hopper 2 and the cooking water circuit.

 The cooking water can be heated by an appliance independent of the machine and then introduced into the hopper 2 and into the water circuit, but as a variant, the water circuit includes heating resistors 41 to bring the water from cook at adequate temperature and maintain this water at temperature.

 On the other hand the circulation of the cooking water in the food mass is ensured a uniform cooking of the food.

 After cooking or during or before, the food mass can be mixed with a lubricating product, food such as grease. In order to homogenize the mixture, the column 11, above the hopper 2 may include a food delivery orifice, which can be closed off by a removable pad allowing food drawn by the ascending conveyor 3 to return to the hopper. shutter will be constituted by a sleeve mounted sliding on the column and bearing, in the closed position on a stop that comprises the column 11.

 To add the fat to the cooking water, a mixing chamber 42 is provided, arranged on the water circuit downstream of the heating resistors 41, said chamber receiving animal fat or other suitable products.

 Preferably, a diffusion ramp 43 is connected to the water rejection pipe, said ramp being arranged in the upper part of the hopper 2.

 Preferably, on the frame of the machine, a water reserve 44 is installed in which a suction pipe connected to the inlet orifice of a motorized suction pump 45 delivering a plunger connected by its discharge orifice to a flexible pipe 46 connected to the feeding device 6 to introduce into the latter the amount of water necessary for the expansion of the frill of the palmiped. The pump motor 45 is controlled by the control and command unit 9 from the emission of a cycle start signal generated by the electrical contactor 8.

 Advantageously, the water will be introduced into the gavage apparatus 6 at the same time as the start of the delivery of the gavage ration.

As a variant, the water used for the dilation of the animal's crop is introduced into the hopper 2 and fills the space between the whole grains of cooked corn.

 In this case, the machine will no longer be equipped with a water reserve 44, the pump 45 then being connected directly to the chamber 36 of the hopper. A machine could also be provided without the pump 45, the pump 37 in this case ensuring, via an appropriate bypass, the distribution of water to the booster 5 via the pipe 46.

The hopper 2 can be installed on a weighing device electrically connected to the control and command unit 9. s
There will also be a water reserve and a grain reserve placed near the hopper 2, said reserves comprising means for removing their contents and pouring the latter into the hopper 2, said means being controlled by the unit. control and command 9.

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 Thus, the control and command unit 9 from a preset program will first carry out the tare of the balance and then activate in turn the withdrawal means for automatic loading of the hopper and will continuously measure the weight of the food and water successively introduced into the hopper and will deactivate these means when the planned weight values have been reached. Then the control and command unit will activate the cooking, and at the end of cooking will activate the emptying of the hopper 2. After emptying, the control and command unit 9 will measure the weight of the hopper for the calculation of d '' a cooking coefficient established by the following relationship: Weight of cooked food mass / Weight of dry matter.

 With this cooking coefficient it is now possible to establish a correlation between the weight value of the food ration and the weight value of the corresponding dry matter and therefore to calculate from the weight requirement of dry matter for optimal feeding the weight value of the food ration to distribute.

 It goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments as described but that, on the contrary, it embraces the various alternative embodiments.

Claims (61)

1 / Force feeding machine with cereal grains and / or granules for fattening palmipeds, comprising a storage hopper (2) containing a food mass, for example based on corn grains, to be distributed in individual force-feeding rations to palmipeds and having a product withdrawal opening, a booster (5) with funnel (6) and booster cannula (7) optionally equipped with a thrust member (5a), into which the funnel is poured the metered ration, characterized by a volumetric metering device (20) of the food ration, installed between the feeding cannula (7) and the opening for taking food products from the storage hopper (2), on the path of these products, this volumetric metering device comprising a product supply mouth and a product delivery mouth.  2 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 1, characterized by a transport device (19) installed between the product sampling opening present in the hopper and the funnel of the feeding device, the dosing device (20) being installed either upstream of the conveyor (19) in relation to the supply of products with the opening for withdrawing products from the hopper (2) on the one hand and in relation to the delivery of products with said transporter on the other hand, either downstream of the conveyor (19) in relation to supplying products with the latter on the one hand and in relation to delivering products with the funnel (6) of the booster on the other hand, or between two assemblies of said transporter in relation to supply and delivery with these two said assemblies.  3 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the volumetric metering device (20) consists of a movable drawer (20b), comprising at least one cell (20c), said drawer being displaceable by controlled and controlled manner in the chamber (20a) of a metering body comprising a product supply mouth (20d), receiving the product drawn from the hopper (2), this mouth (20d) opening into said chamber (20a ) and a product delivery mouth (20d), these products being delivered to the booster (5), this mouth being angularly spaced from the previous one and also opening into said chamber (20a), the cell (20c) , by displacement of the movable drawer, being brought in turn in communication relation with the product supply mouth, to be filled with product and in communication relation with the product delivery mouth to deliver the amount ity of product received, said drawer (20b) being coupled to a drive member ensuring its movement in the chamber (20a), said drive member being driven and controlled by a command and control unit (9) which in particular ensures the metering of the ration to distribute.  4 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the drawer (20b) comprises several cells (20c) equally spaced, of the same capacity, the metering being effected by counting the number of cells displaced facing the delivery mouth ( 20e) or by measuring the displacement of the drawer in the chamber (20a).  5 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 3 or claim 4, characterized in that the chamber (20a) of the metering device (20) is cylindrical and that the drawer (20b) of the <Desc / Clms Page number 18>  metering device (20) is cylindrical and is rotatably mounted in the chamber (20a) in a sliding fit, said drawer being fixed to a drive shaft rotatably mounted on bearings of the metering body and coupled to the drive motor.  6 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the cells (20c) are formed in the drawer (20b) equidistant and are hollowed out in the latter from its peripheral edge towards its central area.  7 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the cells (20c) are formed in the drawer (20b) from the peripheral edge towards the central zone and along the entire thickness of said drawer (20b).  8 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized by a means for detecting the angular position of the cells (20c) this means having a rotary element (17) fixed on the drive shaft of the drawer outside the metering body and a fixed detector element (18) installed outside the body opposite the rotary element (17), this detector element being electrically connected to the control and command unit ( 9).  9 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the rotary element (17) is constituted by a wheel with radial branches, each branch materializing the position of a cell and a single one.  10 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the volumetric metering device is constituted by a variable volume chamber arranged in the manner of an airlock comprising an unloading opening (52) associated with a shutter movable between a closed position of said opening and a release position of said opening, and an unloading opening associated with a second shutter (53) movable between a closed position of said opening and a release position of this opening, the shutter elements being respectively mobilized by drive members controlled and controlled by the command and control unit (9).  11 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 10, characterized in that the internal volume of the variable volume chamber is delimited by the internal volume of two vertical tubular elements (54,55), slidably mounted one inside the other and both cooperating with the same system for adjusting their axial position relative to each other.  12 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 9, characterized in that the drawer of the volume metering device is equipped with at least one cell with adjustable volume.  13 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 12, characterized in that the drawer (20b) of the metering device (20) is constituted by a cylindrical sector containing (50) and a cylindrical sector contained (51) mounted to slide in the previous , each sector (50, 51) having an end wall facing the end wall of the other sector and both delimiting the volume of the cell, the two sectors both cooperating with one and the same means of adjusting the angular difference between their end wall by adjusting the degree of penetration of the sector contained in the containing sector. <Desc / Clms Page number 19>  14 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a stirring and dislocation device (40) disposed immediately upstream of the supply mouth (20d) of product from the metering device, suitable, before introduction of the product in the metering device (20), to dislocate any agglomerates that the product could form.  15 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 14, characterized in that the stirring and dislocation device (40) is constituted by a body delimiting an internal chamber comprising an upstream opening for introducing the product and a downstream opening for delivering the product , this downstream opening being in relation to the supply mouth (20d) in product of the metering device, a stirring and dislocation member (40a) being disposed in the chamber between the two upstream downstream openings, rotating around a horizontal axis.  16 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 15, characterized in that the mixing and dislocation member (40a) comprises a horizontal shaft to which radial blades are fixed, said shaft being engaged in two end bearings fixed to the body on the external faces of the latter, the shaft beyond one of the two bearings being coupled to the rotary output shaft of a motor.  17 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the dislocation and stirring device (40) is mounted in the storage hopper (2).  18 / feeding dosing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the metering device (20) is mounted in the funnel (6) of the feeding device (5) 19 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the metering device is formed in and by the feeding device (5), that the funnel (6) of the feeding device ( 5) consists of two tubular parts (6a, 6b) mounted one inside the other and linked to each other by an adjustment means which allows one of the parts in the other to adjust the degree of depression of the latter in the lower part, that the upper part is equipped with an orifice for introducing food products and downstream of this orifice, considering the direction of flow of the product, of a shutter ( 59) being able to occupy an open position according to which the internal volume of the upper part (6a) is in communication with the internal volume which forms the lower part (6b) and a closed position according to which these two volumes are physically separated. one from the other, this shutter (59) being coupled to an org a drive motor between its open position and its closed position, said shutter (59) when from the open position is led towards the closed position, acting in the manner of a guillotine with movement transverse to the longitudinal axis of the booster and separating in two the mass of product previously introduced into the internal volume of the booster, the mass of product located below the shutter constituting the dose to be dispensed.  20 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 19, characterized in that the shutter consists of at least two parts (59a) acting in the manner of a diaphragm, <Desc / Clms Page number 20>  these parts being integral with the upper part of the funnel (6) of the feeding device (5).  21 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 20, characterized in that the shutter is formed of two parts (59a) each in the form of a wall engaged in sliding in a slot formed in the upper part of the funnel, each wall receiving in articulation a maneuvering compass coupled to an actuating motor and articulated at the upper part of the funnel (6).  22 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 20, characterized in that the shutter the shutter (59) is formed by a series of walls of triangular shape (59a), articulated at the upper part (6a), said walls, by pivoting about their axes being driven from an open position to a closed position and vice versa by a drive member.  23 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 19 to 22, characterized in that in the metering volume of the metering device is arranged a system making it possible to reduce the metering volume on demand and to reduce the latter at a fraction of a dose.  24 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 23, characterized in that the system allowing to decrease on demand the dosage volume and to reduce this latter to a fraction of a dose is constituted by an inflatable balloon.  25 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7,12, 13 whose metering device (20) comprises a product supply zone in which is installed the supply mouth (20d) and a zone for delivering the product in which the delivery mouth (20e) for the product is installed, characterized in that the transport device (19) is of the pneumatic type and consists of a first transport tube (24 ') comprising an opening for delivery of products in communication with the funnel (6) of the booster (5), and a product loading opening connected to the product delivery hole of the metering device and a second transport tube (24 ") comprising an opening for introducing an air current in relation to the outlet mouth of an air current generator (21) and an outlet mouth for an air flow connected to the delivery area of the metering device (20).  26 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 25, characterized in that the body of the metering device, in the product delivery area has a front opening for introducing the flow of transport air into the cell located in the area of delivery.  27 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 26, characterized in that delivery mouth (20e) of the product that comprises the metering device (20) is radial to the internal chamber (20a) of the body of this device.  28 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that a device separating (22) the air stream and the food product is associated with the feeding device (5), this device (22) can be arranged upstream of the funnel (6) or formed therein.  29 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 28, characterized in that the <Desc / Clms Page number 21>  separator device (22) is a cyclone device.  30 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 24, characterized in that the transport device (19) consists of an endless belt mounted on two end rollers one of the two rollers being coupled to the output shaft of a drive member.  31 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 24, characterized in that the transport device (19) consists of an endless chain (19a) with cells mounted in a containment tube (19c), said tube (19c) comprising a loading opening (19d) arranged in relation to the delivery bore of the metering device and a delivery opening (19e) in relation to the funnel (6) of the feeding device (5).  32 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 31, characterized in that the delivery opening (19e) of the compression tube (19c) is equipped with a shutter shutter (33) actuated by a motor member (34) controlled by the control and command unit (9).  33 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 32, characterized in that the return strand of the cell chain (19a) and the corresponding section of the containment tube (19c) come above the hopper (2) and that said tube (19c) in line with the hopper (2) has an opening (19b) for discharging the food product.  34 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 2 to 24, characterized in that the transport device (19) consists of a bucket chain.  35 / feeding dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feeding device (5) is equipped with an electrical contactor (8) operable by the user when he wishes to interrupt the delivery of the ration at the palmiped, said electrical contactor being electrically connected to the control and command unit (9) which when it receives the interrupt signal deactivates the transporter (19) or controls the return of the food product to the hopper (2 ) or activates a shutter member (33) of the funnel (6) of the feeding device (5).  36 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the transport device (19) is of the pneumatic type and is constituted by a transport tube (24) comprising an opening for delivering the products in communication with the funnel ( 6) of the booster, an opening for introducing an air current in relation to the outlet mouth of an air current generator (21) and between the delivery opening and the introduction opening, a loading opening in communication with the discharge opening of the metering device (20).  37 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 36 characterized in that the transport tube is divided into an upstream section (24a) and a downstream section (24b) joined to each other by a bypass (23), said bypass comprising a body provided with an inlet mouth and two outlet outlets in which is mounted a flap (23a) coupled to a motor member controlled by the control and command unit, the inlet of the bypass being connected to the upstream section (24a), one of the outlet openings to the downstream section (24b) and the other outlet mouth to a return tube (25) of products to the hopper (2), the flap (23a ) can occupy in the body <Desc / Clms Page number 22>  a first position according to which the communication between the upstream section (24a) and the downstream section (24b) is established and a second position according to which communication between the upstream section (24a) and the product return tube (25) is established.  38 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 37, characterized in that the shutter (23a) is equipped with an air passage opening of size smaller than the size of the corn kernels to allow the purging of the downstream section (24b) when the bypass flap occupies the second position.  39 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 36, characterized in that the transport tube (24) is divided into an upstream section (24a) and a downstream section (24b) joined to each other by a valve of the type two positions, three ways, four orifices said valve (26) comprising a valve body (26a) in which is formed a cylindrical chamber in which is mounted a rotary plug (26b) coupled to the output shaft of a motor unit controlled by the control and command unit, the first port of the valve being connected to the upstream section (24a), the second port to the downstream section (24b), the third to a product return tube (27) towards the hopper (2) and the fourth orifice to a purge tube (28) in which an air flow is established, the valve (26b) of the valve (26) in the first position ensuring communication between the first and the second port and plugs the third and fourth port while depending on the this position ensures communication between the first orifice and the third on the one hand and second and the fourth on the other.  40 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 39, characterized in that the purge tube (28) is connected to a suction mouth by means of a cyclone device (29a) ensuring the separation between the air and the grains, the grain outlet mouth being disposed above a hopper (29) or (2).  41 / Force feeding metering machine according to claim 40, characterized in that the suction mouth is that of the air stream generator (21).  42 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 39, characterized in that the purge tube (28) is connected to the outlet of an annex air current generator.  43 / Force feeding dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the funnel (6) is equipped with a grain level sensor device, this device being electrically connected to the control and command unit (9) and detecting the end of the dose.  44 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 43, characterized in that the grain level sensor device is constituted by a presence sensor (35).  45 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 43, characterized in that the level sensor device is a pressure probe.  46 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 2, characterized by a withdrawal and discharge device (3) associated with the transport device (19) this withdrawal device being constituted by at least one ascending conveyor (10).  47 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 46, characterized in that the <Desc / Clms Page number 23>  withdrawal and discharge device (3) comprises a first ascending conveyor (10) partially housed in the hopper (2) for drawing food products therefrom, said first conveyor (10) being substantially vertical and by a second horizontal conveyor (11) intended to convey the products from the first conveyor to the metering device (20).  48 / Feeding dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the feeding device (5) is carried by a cable wound around a pulley idly mounted on an axis of a supporting structure, the so-called cable being attached to a balancing device.  49 / Feeding metering machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the thrust member (Sa) of the feeding device is coupled to the output shaft of its actuating motor by a hose.  50 Force feeding metering machine according to claim 49 characterized in that the hose is mounted in a compression tube.  51 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hopper (2) comprises in its lower part a cylindrical chamber (36) delimited by a perforated wall (2b) and by an end partition (13) .  52 / Feeding dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a hot cooking water circuit in the hopper (2) in order to ensure the cooking of the food therein.  53 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claims 51 and 52, characterized in that the water circuit includes a pump (37) whose inlet orifice is connected by a pipe to the chamber (36) to draw the cooking water and the discharge port of which is connected to a second pipe for discharging cooking water into the hopper (2).  54 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 52 or claim 53 characterized by heating resistors (41) arranged on the circuit of the cooking water to maintain this water at temperature.  55 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 54, characterized by a mixing chamber (42) arranged on the water circuit downstream of the heating resistors (41), said chamber receiving animal fat or other additives.  56 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of claims 52 to 55, characterized by a diffusion ramp (43) connected to the water rejection pipe, said ramp (43) being disposed in the upper part of the hopper ( 2).  57 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a water reserve (44) in which plunges a suction pipe connected to the inlet orifice of a motorized pump (45) suction suction outlet connected by its discharge orifice to a flexible conduit (46) connected to the booster (5) to introduce into the latter the quantity of water necessary for the expansion of the frill of the palmiped, the motor of the pump (45) being controlled by the control and command unit (9) from the emission of a cycle start signal generated by the electrical contactor (8).  58 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, <Desc / Clms Page number 24>  characterized in that the hopper (2) is installed on a weighing device electrically connected to the control and command unit.  59 / Force feeding metering machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a water reserve and by a grain reserve disposed near the hopper (2), said reserve comprising means for withdrawing their contents and discharge of the latter into the hopper, said means being controlled by the control and command unit.  60 / gaveuse dosing machine according to claim 59, characterized in that the control and command unit activates in turn the sampling means and continuously measures the weight of the food products and of the water introduced into the hopper, active cooking, measures the weight of the hopper and calculates the cooking coefficient.  61 / gaveuse dosing machine according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the delivery rate of food products to the transport device is lower than the delivery rate of products by the feeding device.